Beachgoers in Massachusetts should start to vigilantly keep an eye out for sharks, following the season's first great white shark spotting off Nantucket. The New England Aquarium has confirmed that a seal was bitten by a great white shark on Sunday, off Smith's Point in Madaket. A witness reported seeing a pool of blood in the water before the injured seal swam to the shore with the shark trailing behind. John Chisholm, a shark biologist with the New England Aquarium, confirmed, based on the seal's wounds, that the shark in question was indeed a great white. "This is the time of year when we like to remind people to be 'shark smart' as white sharks return to the inshore waters of New England, where they'll hunt seals and other prey through the summer and into the fall," Chisholm told NBC Boston.
The presence of these apex predators is a double-edged sword for coastal communities. While they can indicate a healthy marine ecosystem, they thoroughly increase the risk for humans swimming or surfing in these waters. To avoid unwanted encounters, beachgoers are advised to stay clear of areas where seals are present, avoid swimming near schools of fish, and always try to remain within close reach to shore. The Nantucket Current posted a social media video capturing the recent shark and seal interaction, raising local awareness on the issue. The New England Aquarium's Nick Whitney emphasized the importance of caution in these situations by stating, "Increased shark sightings can be a positive sign of a recovering marine ecosystem, but this recovery also means that people should take even more care while swimming or surfing," as reported by CBS News Boston.
To help keep the public informed and safe, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app is available to report sightings and receive updates on shark movements. The app has been a crucial tool for both researchers and the layman beach visitor, providing real-time push notifications on white shark sightings and detections. In a collaboration with the New England Aquarium, the conservancy plays a significant role in public education and safety as great white sharks become increasingly common visitors to the New England waters.
While great white sharks typically make their presence in New England known around mid-June, Cape Cod and the Islands have become a hotspot for these predators earlier in the season. Last year, efforts were amped up with the installation of acoustic shark receivers along the Outer Cape. This technology aims to detect great whites and immediately alert beachgoers of their proximity. It is also noted that Cape Cod Bay is currently "full of basking sharks," which, although menacing in appearance, pose no threat to humans as they are plankton feeders, Chisholm explained to CBS News Boston.
